Jasour successfully stakes a Commonwealth claim

Jasour won the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes at Ascot by demonstrating his amazing turn of foot to power.

With just over a furlong left, the colt trained by Clive Cox maintained his cool at the back of the field before pushing through a gap to join Purosangue at the front.

Adaay was difficult on the inside rail in Devon, but jockey Jim Crowley gave his three-year-old the shove he required to shift into a higher gear and take the lead.

With a commanding performance, the 9-1 shot moved to the inside but continued to extend his lead, winning by one and a third of a length against Adaay in Devon.

Paddy Power cut Jasour to 12-1 from 33s for the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting the following month.

“He was classed last year in the July Stakes and then in the Prix Morny they split and he was left in the middle and he just got a bit free,” said Cox. “I think he got a bit frightened as a juvenile and he pulled far too hard in the Middle Park. We’ve worked and we’ve worked, and he enjoyed some precious turnout time up until Christmas at home. The whole team has worked really hard to make sure we’ve kept him this way. I was very disappointed things hadn’t worked out (in the second half of last season), but it was quite rewarding to watch him through the winter become more confident. He’s an individual personality and quite his own person, but today has been so rewarding to see him do that. It’s very special. He’s just come back here with a completely different look in his eye, understanding life isn’t that difficult if he gets it the right way round.”

Cox added: “The Commonwealth Cup absolutely has to be the target and we were worried about the weather today and how he would cope. After today I will sleep a lot easier and I don’t think I will be watching so many weather forecasts so many times before his next run I would say.”